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Leominster lands $181G for new school playground

By Jack Minch, jminch@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
12/25/2012 06:36:03 AM EST

LEOMINSTER -- Santa couldn't fit it under the tree, but the state announced late last week that it is giving the city a $181,606.04 grant to help fund construction of a playground next to Southeast Elementary School on Viscoloid Avenue.

The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs issued the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant to use toward the $271,000 cost of the playground.

The playground land is city owned and will have equipment for children ages 2-5 and 5-12.

"This couldn't come at a better time," said Mayor Dean Mazzarella. "There has been a real void in the area for places for kids to play since the Johnson Street playground had to be taken down."

The grant is highly competitive but the city's application scored well because of the playground's location, the community support and the city's ability to show a clear list of priorities for its recreational projects, said Grants Administrator Wendy Wiiks.

Leominster was one of the first communities in the state to complete an open-space plan years ago, she said.

City officials have regularly monitored municipal parks to make sure there is an up-to-date list of needs, Wiiks said.

"Southeast was a perfect match for this grant," she said. "I am so happy for the neighborhood."

The playground will complement the after-school learning center at the Leominster Housing Authority's Allencrest Apartments across the street, said Director Eugene Capoccia.

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"This will work in conjunction with the community center and it will become a real focal point for the greater community around Viscoloid Avenue," Capoccia said. "I'm thrilled with the work the mayor is doing focusing in on that whole neighborhood."

The Allencrest Academic Learning Center started in a three-bedroom apartment 16 years ago.

A new $410,000 facility opened in January using funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development through a Community Development Block Grant.

Students from the Center for Technical Education did much of the construction.

The Knights of Columbus gave the learning center a $3,000 grant in November to hire a program assistant to help with tutoring.

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